Linebacker Kevin Anderson forces a fumble by Colorado quarterback Connor Wood, one of three turnovers for the Buffaloes.

Photo: Doug Pensinger, Getty Images

Linebacker Kevin Anderson forces a fumble by Colorado quarterback...

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Kevin Hogan passes under pressure from defensive lineman Kirk Poston. Hogan threw for 184 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for 48 yards.

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Kevin Hogan passes under pressure from defensive lineman Kirk...

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Stepfan Taylor, who had two touchdowns, turns the corner on defensive back Ray Polk.

Photo: Doug Pensinger, Getty Images

Stepfan Taylor, who had two touchdowns, turns the corner on...

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With time running out in the fourth quarter, a lone Colorado fan sits in the stands in the fourth quarter of Stanford's 48-0 victory over Colorado in an NCAA college football game in Boulder, Colo., on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado quarterback Nick Hirschman, left, is sacked for a loss by Stanford linebacker Alex Debniak in the third quarter of Stanford's 48-0 victory in an NCAA college football game in Boulder, Colo., on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

Colorado quarterback Nick Hirschman, left, is sacked for a loss by...

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Colorado defensive lineman Justin Solis is wheeled of the field after getting injured against Stanford in the third quarter of Stanford's 48-0 victory in an NCAA college football game in Boulder, Colo., on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

Colorado defensive lineman Justin Solis is wheeled of the field...

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Stanford running back Stepfan Taylor, center, runs for a touchdown as Colorado cornerback Yuri Wright (5) and Stanford fullback Ryan Hewitt watch in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game in Boulder, Colo., Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

Stanford running back Stepfan Taylor, center, runs for a touchdown...

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Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan, right, is tackled by Colorado defensive linemen Samson Kafovau, front left, during the third quarter of Stanford's 48-0 victory in an NCAA college football game in Boulder, Colo., on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan, right, is tackled by Colorado...

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BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 03: defensive lineman Justin Solis #57 of the Colorado Buffaloes tackles running back Anthony Wilkerson #32 of the Stanford Cardinals in the third quarter at Folsom Field on November 3, 2012 in Boulder, Colorado. Solis was injured on the play and had to be carried off the field as the Cardinal defeated the Buffaloes 48-0. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Photo: Doug Pensinger, Getty Images

BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 03: defensive lineman Justin Solis #57 of...

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BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 03: Defensive lineman Justin Solis #57 of the Colorado Buffaloes is taken of the field by medical personel after he made a tackle on running back Anthony Wilkerson #32 of the Stanford Cardinals in the third quarter at Folsom Field on November 3, 2012 in Boulder, Colorado. The Cardinal defeated the Buffaloes 48-0. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Photo: Doug Pensinger, Getty Images

BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 03: Defensive lineman Justin Solis #57 of...

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BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 03: Safety Jordan Richards #8 of the Stanford Cardinals breaks up a pass intended for tight end Nick Kasa #44 of the Colorado Buffaloes to force a fourth down in the third quarter at Folsom Field on November 3, 2012 in Boulder, Colorado. The Cardinal defeated the Buffaloes 48-0. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Photo: Doug Pensinger, Getty Images

BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 03: Safety Jordan Richards #8 of the...

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BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 03: Kicker Jordan Williamson #19 of the Stanford Cardinals kicks a 31 yard field goal against the Colorado Buffaloes to take a 38-0 lead in the third quarter at Folsom Field on November 3, 2012 in Boulder, Colorado. The Cardinal defeated the Buffaloes 48-0. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Photo: Doug Pensinger, Getty Images

BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 03: Kicker Jordan Williamson #19 of the...

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BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 03: Defensive end Josh Mauro #90 of the Stanford Cardinals drives quarterback Connor Wood #5 of the Colorado Buffaloes from the pocket at Folsom Field on November 3, 2012 in Boulder, Colorado. The Cardinal defeated the Buffaloes 48-0. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Photo: Doug Pensinger, Getty Images

BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 03: Defensive end Josh Mauro #90 of the...

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BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 03: Quarterback Connor Wood #5 of the Colorado Buffaloes delivers a pass against the Stanford Cardinals at Folsom Field on November 3, 2012 in Boulder, Colorado. The Cardinal defeated the Buffaloes 48-0. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Photo: Doug Pensinger, Getty Images

BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 03: Quarterback Connor Wood #5 of the...

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BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 03: Head coach Jon Embree of the Colorado Buffaloes talks to the officials as he leads his team against the Stanford Cardinal at Folsom Field on November 3, 2012 in Boulder, Colorado. The Cardinal defeated the Buffaloes 48-0. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Photo: Doug Pensinger, Getty Images

BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 03: Head coach Jon Embree of the Colorado...

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BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 03: Quarterback Kevin Hogan #8 of the Stanford Cardinals delivers a pass against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field on November 3, 2012 in Boulder, Colorado. The Cardinal defeated the Buffaloes 48-0. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Photo: Doug Pensinger, Getty Images

BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 03: Quarterback Kevin Hogan #8 of the...

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BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 03: Fullback Christian Powell #46 of the Colorado Buffaloes is tackled by the Stanford Cardinals defense at Folsom Field on November 3, 2012 in Boulder, Colorado. The Cardinal defeated the Buffaloes 48-0. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Photo: Doug Pensinger, Getty Images

BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 03: Fullback Christian Powell #46 of the...

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Stanford linebacker Alex Debniak (42) upends Colorado tailback Tony Jones after Jones caught a pass in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Boulder, Colo., Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 03: General view of the stadium as the Stanford Cardinal defeated the Colorado Buffaloes 48-0 at Folsom Field on November 3, 2012 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Photo: Doug Pensinger, Getty Images

BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 03: General view of the stadium as the...

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Stanford free safety Ed Reynolds, back, turns to celebrate his touchdown on an interception thrown by Colorado quarterback Jordan Webb, front, in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Boulder, Colo., on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

Stanford free safety Ed Reynolds, back, turns to celebrate his...

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BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 03: Quarterback Nick Hirschman #8 of the Colorado Buffaloes is sacked by defensive end Josh Mauro #90, linebacker Kevin Anderson #48 and linebacker Alex Debniak #42 of the Stanford Cardinals at Folsom Field on November 3, 2012 in Boulder, Colorado. The Cardinal defeated the Buffaloes 48-0. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 03: Quarterback Jordan Webb #4 of the Colorado Buffaloes is sacked by inebacker Chase Thomas #44 of the Stanford Cardinals at Folsom Field on November 3, 2012 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Photo: Doug Pensinger, Getty Images

BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 03: Quarterback Jordan Webb #4 of the...

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BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 03: Head coach David Shaw of the Stanford Cardinals celebrates a touchdown against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field on November 3, 2012 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Photo: Doug Pensinger, Getty Images

BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 03: Head coach David Shaw of the Stanford...

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Stanford fullback Ryan Hewitt, left, congratulates running back Stepfan Taylor after his touchdown against Colorado in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game in Boulder, Colo., on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

Stanford fullback Ryan Hewitt, left, congratulates running back...

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Colorado backup quarterback Nick Hirschman looks to pass against Stanford in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Boulder, Colo., Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

Colorado backup quarterback Nick Hirschman looks to pass against...

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BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 03: Running back Stepfan Taylor #33 of the Stanford Cardinals rushes 26 yards for a touchdown against the Colorado Buffaloes in the second quarter at Folsom Field on November 3, 2012 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Photo: Doug Pensinger, Getty Images

BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 03: Running back Stepfan Taylor #33 of the...

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Stanford fullback Ryan Hewitt, front, is pushed out of bounds after pulling in a pass in front of Colorado defensive back Marques Mosely in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game in Boulder, Colo., on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Handlers run Ralphie, the mascot for Colorado, onto the field in front of the team as Colorado hosts Stanford in an NCAA college football game in Boulder, Colo., Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

Handlers run Ralphie, the mascot for Colorado, onto the field in...

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Colorado quarterback Jordan Webb, front, is stopped after a short gain by Stanford linebacker A.J. Tarpley in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game in Boulder, Colo., Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

Colorado quarterback Jordan Webb, front, is stopped after a short...

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BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 03: Running back Stepfan Taylor #33 of the Stanford Cardinals rushes 26 yards for a touchdown against the Colorado Buffaloes in the second quarter at Folsom Field on November 3, 2012 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

It may be jumping the gun to say the Kevin Hogan Era has begun at Stanford. But in his first extended action at quarterback Saturday, there were a few times when he looked a little like, well, Andrew Luck.

He came off the sideline late in the first quarter and gave the offense a badly needed jolt of adrenaline, sparking the No. 15 Cardinal to a 48-0 rout of hapless Colorado.

Next Saturday at Stanford Stadium, against a much tougher Oregon State team, "you'll see a whole lot of Kevin Hogan," coach David Shaw promised.

Will he start? Shaw smiled and repeated, "You'll see a whole lot of Kevin Hogan."

Asked if felt he deserved to start, Hogan - the son of a lobbyist in Washington, D.C. - wasn't about to press his case. He said, "Whatever the coaches think. ... Whatever way they choose, I'm happy with."

While not ready to announce that the redshirt freshman will take over for Josh Nunes, who led wins over USC and Arizona, Shaw practically gushed over Hogan's play.

"You see the mobility," he said. "It's not just his scrambling ability for a couple of yards. He's fast. He's athletic. He can throw on the move to the left or the right. You saw him push up in the pocket and find his check-downs (alternate receivers). I can't find a lot of negatives in what he did today. I'm very, very impressed."

Hogan completed 18 of 23 passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns and ran seven times for 48 yards (a 6.9-yard average) as Stanford boosted its overall record to 7-2 and stayed in the hunt for the Pac-12 North title with a 5-1 record.

Beyond Hogan's numbers, he gave the Buffaloes (1-8, 1-5) fits with his scrambling; he also energized his teammates from the moment he entered the game. His first six drives ended in five touchdowns and a field goal.

One drive in particular showed what he provided. On a 3rd-and-9 play, he took off on a 20-yard run. With a defender wrapped around him, he got off a pass to Stepfan Taylor for a short gain. He threw a 32-yard pass to tight end Levine Toilolo, who used his 6-foot-8 height to grab the ball over 6-1 safety Paul Vigo, covering him closely. Finally, on a first-down play at the 1, he lobbed a touchdown pass to wide open tight end Zach Ertz.

"The big thing was his scramble on 3rd-and-long," Ertz said. "That was great to see for the offense to have that extra dimension." Hogan has unusual composure in the huddle for a player with so little experience, Ertz said.

As planned, Nunes played the first two series before giving way to Hogan for what was expected to be a temporary stint. But the Cardinal gained only one first down during that time, although they took a 7-0 lead on Ed Reynolds' second interception return for a touchdown in two weeks, this one for 52 yards.

Nunes' only really poor play was a pass that was overthrown to Drew Terrell and was dropped by Buffs cornerback Yuri Wright.

"He played OK," Shaw said. "There were things he could have done better."

Hogan entered the game on the last play of the first quarter, and it took Stanford just 31 seconds to score. He immediately ran for 7 yards and passed to fullback Ryan Hewitt for 7 more before Taylor broke loose for a 26-yard touchdown. Taylor later scored on a 2-yard run.

Hogan also threw a 19-yard scoring pass to Toilolo.

"The guys around me definitely helped me get accustomed to the game," Hogan said. "I got more comfortable as the game went on."

At the half, Stanford had a 35-0 lead. Colorado didn't get its third first down until late in the third quarter and finished with just six. It didn't pass midfield until the final minutes and then for only two plays. Stanford had seven sacks and held an opponent to negative rushing yardage (minus-21) for the second straight week.